Town abolishes roll‑cart attendant program after liability concerns

The Town of Sunset Beach council voted May 4 to abolish the town's roll‑cart attendant program, which had provided curb‑to‑property trash cart return services for some island properties. Staff told council the program presented legal and liability concerns because employees sometimes entered private property beneath elevated homes to gather carts and a resident had filed a trespass complaint.

Public works staff and council members discussed implementation timing and notification. Some council members urged a short transition window to give residents and rental managers time to arrange private services; others noted the program created unequal service across town because it covered only portions of the island and some nearby neighborhoods.

Council moved and approved an immediate abolition motion by voice vote, and directed staff to publish notices to affected property owners recommending local vendors and options for private contractors that perform cart retrieval services. Staff said they would post guidance on the town website and consider whether a town‑run paid option should be explored in the future.

Council recognized potential short‑term impacts (carts left at curb) and discussed enforcement timing for existing ordinances on storing carts in the right‑of‑way. Members instructed staff to notify affected residents, allow a short grace period for transition and to gather vendor options so residents can contract for service if needed.

The vote ends the town's practice of employees entering private property to retrieve carts and shifts responsibility for those returns to property owners or private vendors unless the council later adopts a new, paid town provision.